Myst, Might, Mayhem

Chapter 86

Spirit God Parasitic Poisoning Technique[1].

It was a technique referred to as a forbidden secret art.

More than 60% of the current magical techniques were derived from Taoism, and there once existed a Taoist sect that popularized and brought prosperity to these techniques.

That was none other than the Mosan Sect[2].

In Seo-ok, the Primal Killing Pavilion Master, was no exception. When he reached the age of Gapja, 60 years old[3], he discovered various secret techniques engraved inside a deep cave in the valley.

One of them was none other than this Spirit God Parasitic Poisoning Technique.

[The gods of heaven and earth have aided this Master.]

Upon discovering this, the Primal Killing Pavilion Master could not hide his joy.

However, that joy did not last long.

It was because more than 80% of the secret techniques he discovered were prohibited by the Sixty-Four Diviner Sects.

That was understandable, as most of the sacrifices for the techniques were living beings.

‘This cannot be.’

At this, the Pavilion Master of Primal Killing pondered deeply.

The world of the forbidden, which had been barren until now, was on the verge of opening, but as a diviner pursuing the ultimate heights of magic, it was unacceptable to let it go to waste due to the rules.

Therefore, he left the Sixty-Four Diviner Sects and joined the Heaven and Earth Society.

He made this decision with the conviction that only the Heaven and Earth Society could fulfill his aspirations.

-Screeech!

“Aaaargh!”

On the cart, agent Neung Hwa-yang, or rather Gyu Soha, who was possessing Neung Hwa-yang’s body, could not endure the pain.

That was understandable, as it was difficult to maintain the possessed state due to the immense spiritual pressure.

‘Damn it……’

Moreover, the timing was not favorable either.

Thanks to the dense undergrowth, the sunlight was somewhat shielded, but during the day, when the energy of Yang was abundant, the ghost was inevitably weakened.

This was true even for those of high ranks.

-Bulging!

The black bulging of blood vessels was a symptom of weakening possession.

‘I need to escape.’

Gyu Soha instinctively reached a conclusion.

The two humans before her eyes were completely different from ordinary individuals.

Especially that old man holding a staff was a true monster.

The spiritual force emanating from the man’s entire body was overwhelming the surroundings.

-Pat!

Enduring the pain, Gyu Soha jumped off the cart and leaped backward.

However, there was another problem here.

The two meridians in the legs of this body were severed, and its danjeon had already been destroyed.

“Damn it!”

If it were not a weakened state or daytime, she could have controlled the body and restored it to some extent, but now it was impossible.

After a moment of contemplation, Gyu Soha decided to abandon the body.

In the current situation, this body was nothing more than an obstacle hindering her escape.

-Swish! Thud!

Neung Hwa-yang’s body collapsed to the ground.

Simultaneously, Gyu Soha, who had emerged from the body, tried to soar into the sky.

However,

-Whoooosh!

‘!?’

A gray membrane covering the sky and extending to a radius of 15 jang.

Seeing this, she was at a loss for words.

‘What kind of human……’

Could they create something like a Ghost’s Domain that only the high-ranking ghosts could form?

The spiritual pressure created by their spiritual force was also absurd.

Having been trapped alone in the cliff, she did not know much, but this was not a monster she could handle even at night.

‘Tsk!’

However, she could not just stand still.

-Swish!

Gyu Soha reached out her hand toward the sky.

Then, numerous iron chains erupted from the ground, converging toward a single point.

She then concentrated her power, trying to break through the membrane in any way possible to escape.

However,

“Hohoho. Who said I’m letting you go?”

-Pak! Pak! Pak!

Pavilion Master In Seo-ok of the Primal Killing Pavilion formed hand seals with his left hand.

He wielded his staff, sweeping it across the Geumgangji (Vajra Mudra), Doji, and then Geomgyeolji[4] seals.

Then, strangely,

-Whoooosh!

The tree trunks in the undergrowth elongated, and they flew like whips, grasping the iron chains created by Gyu Soha.

‘Ah!’

Gyu Soha hurriedly waved her hand downward.

Then, some of the iron chains changed direction, targeting Pavilion Master In Seo-ok of the Primal Killing Pavilion.

At that moment, someone blocked the way.

It was Diviner Jo Ui-gong.

-Pak! Pak! Pak! Pak!

Im (臨)! Tu (鬪)! Gae (皆)! Jae (在)!

They were the hand seals of the Nine Character Technique.

Overlapping the index and thumb fingers of both hands, he aimed at the charging iron chains.

-Clang!

-Crash!

The iron chains bounced off and flew back toward Gyu Soha.

It was the Reversal Technique among the Nine Character Techniques.

In an instant, the iron chains that flew back pierced through the thigh of Gyu Soha, who was trying to dodge by twisting her body.

-Aaaaargh!

With the weakened spiritual body, it was naturally painful when the chains pierced through.

However, if she made the iron chains disappear, they would be crushed by the tree trunks, and it would be futile to gather them at a single point to break the membrane.

‘I must endure.’

-Whoooosh!

The iron chains collided with the gray membrane, and blue and red sparks simultaneously flashed like lightning.

It was a phenomenon caused by the clash of spiritual force and spiritual energy.

“Where are you trying to escape to!”

Diviner Jo Ui-gong took out a talisman from his bosom and tried to chant a spell.

But before that, Master In Seo-ok of the Primal Killing Pavilion took out a talisman first and threw it toward the Green Spirit Gyu Soha.

“The Demonic Fire Burns and the Strong Spirit Transforms, Hurry Up!”

As soon as the spell ended,

-Whoooosh!

The flames took the form of a bird and flew toward Gyu Soha.

With the iron chains stuck in her thigh, Gyu Soha could not move and was directly hit by it.

-Boom!

-Aaaargh!

With a scream, the iron chains that were shaped by spiritual energy disappeared.

Then, Gyu Soha fell to the ground.

Gyu Soha, whose entire body was charred black by the flames created with spiritual force.

Her condition was far from ideal.

-Damn Diviner!

“Hohoho. Your mouth is foul. This Valley Master is like a parent to you.”

-Swish!

Pavilion Master In Seo-ok of the Primal Killing Pavilion waved his staff, and the sound of clinking coins accompanied the golden glow emitted by the red letters engraved on the surface of the staff.

Along with it, an earthen hand erupted from the ground, simultaneously grasping Gyu Soha’s arms and legs.

-Grab! Grab!

-Let go!

“Do you think you can escape?”

-Screech!

Gyu Soha tried to generate spiritual energy and create iron chains.

However, when her arms and legs were grabbed, it became strangely difficult to exert strength.

“It’s useless. No matter how high your rank is, when caught by this Spirit Trap Hand, your spiritual energy disperses, and you cannot exert strength.”

-Ugh.

It was difficult to deny as she felt her own strength gradually draining away.

It was to the extent that she could even feel her spiritual body going limp.

Meanwhile, Pavilion Master In Seo-ok of the Primal Killing Pavilion approached Gyu Soha, leaning on his staff.

Then, he lifted Gyu Soha’s chin with the end of the staff.

-Swish!

“Ho. It has matured better than expected.”

-Roar!

Gyu Soha opened her mouth like a beast, trying to appear threatening to In Seo-ok.

However, it had no effect.

Rather, In Seo-ok clicked his tongue and said,

“Since it hasn’t been tamed yet, it bares its fangs like a wild beast. But don’t worry. This Valley Master will refine you to be quite useful.”

-Don’t make me laugh. Human!

“Hohoho. You have completely forgotten the fact that you were once human. Well, it is a sign that your rank has increased, so it’s not a bad phenomenon.”

Master In Seo-ok of the Primal Killing Pavilion seemed rather satisfied.

To him, his disciple, Diviner Jo Ui-gong, approached and said,

“Master, is this it?”

“That’s right. If it had matured a little more, we could have created a Blue Spirit in a short period, which is truly regrettable.”

“Even so, it’s really remarkable, Master.”

Jo Ui-gong spoke with a genuinely astonished expression.

That was understandable, as a ghost with this level of rank was artificially born in just 15 years.

It was an achievement that no diviner had ever accomplished.

Of course, there would be no one who would welcome such an achievement.

“Shall we ripen it further in solitude?”

“No. It’s too risky.”

“Risky, you say?”

“Once the technique is broken, it becomes difficult to continue the solitude technique. Although it’s regrettable that the rank is somewhat lower than expected, it’s sufficient to make use of it to this extent, so we should create a new jar.”

-Grr!

At these words from the Pavilion Master of Primal Killing, Gyu Soha gritted her teeth.

She didn’t understand what they were talking about, but from what he heard, were these people the ones who created that hellish cliff?

Upon learning the truth, anger surged within her.

-Damn old man. You!

-Whoooosh!

“Hohoho. As expected of a ghost, your anger alone is enough to try to recover your spiritual energy. But…..”

-Clink clink!

-Aaaargh!

When In Seo-ok shook the coins on his staff, Gyu Soha covered her ears and writhed in pain.

The sound generated by the coins engraved with incantations caused pain that stimulated the spiritual body of ghosts.

“If you don’t want to become a servant spirit, it’s best to stay still.”

-Ugh.

Perhaps feeling fear at the mention of becoming a servant spirit, Gyu Soha flinched.

No matter how much of a ghost one was, it was natural to feel fear at the mention of becoming a servant spirit.

Seeing such Gyu Soha, Master In Seo-ok of the Primal Killing Pavilion stroked his beard and said,

“But I’m truly curious.”

“About what, Master?”

“This Master’s Spirit God Parasitic Poisoning Technique is perfect. But I don’t understand how it managed to escape.”

There was not the slightest flaw in the technique.

Yet it was broken.

If this Green Spirit before his eyes had been completed to the level of a Blue Spirit, it would have been understandable.

But that wasn’t the case either, so it was incomprehensible.

“Could it be that Taoist Yun neglected the management of the cliff?”

“That’s impossible. This Valley Master also periodically checked on it.”

At the master’s firm words, Diviner Jo Ui-gong scratched his head, looking embarrassed.

Then, Master In Seo-ok of the Primal Killing Pavilion shook his head and took out a talisman from his bosom.

“Well, it doesn’t matter either way. If it wasn’t due to negligence, we can investigate and find out gradually.”

With that, he brought the talisman to Gyu Soha’s forehead.

Sensing an ominous feeling, Gyu Soha tried to turn her head to avoid it.

“I told you it’s useless.”

-Pak!

In Seo-ok forcibly attached the talisman to her forehead.

The talisman had the following written in red ink:

[Fated Connection (命緣)]

Master In Seo-ok of the Primal Killing Pavilion spoke as if he wanted his disciple, Diviner Jo Ui-gong, to listen.

“Watch carefully. I will show you how to turn a ghost born from the Spirit God Parasitic Poisoning Technique into a servant spirit.”

Anticipation appeared on In Seo-ok’s face.

That was understandable, as it was nearly impossible to use a ghost as a servant spirit under normal circumstances.

However, this technique, which was connected to the Spirit God Parasitic Poisoning Technique, could make the impossible possible, surpassing all existing magical systems.

“Servant Spirit Creation Technique.”

With those words, In Seo-ok chanted a spell.

“The Heaven and Earth, Yin and Yang, Bless this Day, The Divine and Wondrous Spirit, Obey My Command, Gather the Water and Soil, Fulfill My Wish, On this Day, I Enter the Tomb, Communicate with the Spirit, Receive My Wish, Depart from Evil, Return to Good, The Spirit Faces Upward, Hurry Up!”

-Whoooosh!

As soon as the spell ended, the talisman burst into blue flames.

Then, the ashes glowed faintly and scattered over Gyu Soha’s entire body.

Watching this, the corners of Master In Seo-ok of the Primal Killing Pavilion’s mouth curled up.

It was finally the moment he had been waiting for.

‘If a high-ranking ghost can be used as a servant spirit……’

It might even be possible to use ‘that’ as a servant spirit, which was called a calamity.

In Seo-ok smiled and spoke to the Green Spirit Gyu Soha.

“Who is this Master?”

Now, he expected the word “Master” to come out of Gyu Soha’s mouth.

However, just as he was watching with anticipation,

-Shitty old man.

‘!?’

Master In Seo-ok of the Primal Killing Pavilion frowned.

What?

Gyu Soha should have become his servant spirit through the servant spirit Creation Technique.

But why wasn’t this spirit calling him master?

Was it because its rank was high and its self-awareness was strong?

Then,

“Call this Master your lord.”

-Get lost!

“………”

The eyes of Master In Seo-ok of the Primal Killing Pavilion narrowed.

Something was wrong.

There was clearly no problem with the technique, so why wasn’t it serving him as its master?

In Seo-ok spoke in a voice filled with anger.

“This Master is your lord. Obey this Master’s command at once.”

-Who says you’re my lord? Fucking old man. If you want to act like a master, bark like a dog in front of me.

“You bastard!”

Finally, the enraged In Seo-ok struck Gyu Soha’s head with his staff.

-Thwack!

Gyu Soha, hit by the staff engraved with incantations, let out a scream of agony.

-Argh!

“This Master is your lord…”

At that moment, someone’s voice was heard.

“Old man. Why are you beating someone else’s dog like that?”

“What?”

At the sound of the voice, In Seo-ok, the Pavilion Master of Primal Killing, frowned and looked in that direction.

There stood an exceptionally handsome boy, who had approached unnoticed.

It was none other than Mok Gyeong-un.

“I am its owner.”

At this voice, the Green Spirit Gyu Soha shouted with a face filled with delight.

-Master!

‘Master?’

The expression of In Seo-ok, the Pavilion Master of Primal Killing, distorted frighteningly.

FOOTNOTESS

1.靈神蠱毒術[↩]

2.茅山派, Mt Mao, Daoist mountain southeast of Jurong county 句容[Jù​róng], Jiangsu Province .
The Mosan Sect was a renowned sect in Taoism, but it had been extinct for a long time.

Now, not even a trace of it remained.

There were various theories about its extinction, but the most prominent one attributed it to the sect’s submission to and collusion with the government during the martial world’s persecution under the 6th emperor of the Yan Dynasty.

Although most of the techniques that remained in the extinct Mosan Sect had lost their successors, occasionally, some of these past legacies were discovered.

One of them was,

“Alas. I thought the Spirit God Parasitic Poisoning Technique had gone to waste.”

It was the Spirit God Parasitic Poisoning Technique discovered by In Seo-ok, the Primal Killing Pavilion Master.

The successive masters of the Primal Killing Pavilion, based in Shaanxi Province, had often explored the collapsed valley once called Sealed Forest, Bongrim[[封林[↩]

3.甲子[↩]

4.A hand formation[↩]